BOJ keeps policy steady; newcomer signals desire for future easing

New board member Goushi Kataoka dissented from the BOJ board`s decision to maintain its interest rate targets, arguing that the BOJ should buy government bonds so that 15-year JGB yields would remain at less than 0.2%.

A Japanese flag flutters atop the Bank of Japan building under construction in Tokyo. Photo: Reuters

The Bank of Japan kept monetary policy steady on Tuesday even as it slightly cut its inflation forecast for the current fiscal year, signalling its conviction a solid recovery will gradually accelerate inflation toward its 2 percent target.

But new board member Goushi Kataoka dissented from the BOJ board`s decision to maintain its interest rate targets, arguing that the BOJ should buy government bonds so that 15-year JGB yields would remain at less than 0.2 percent.

"If there were a delay in the timing of achieving the price target due to domestic factors, the BOJ should take additional easing measures," Kataoka said, according to a statement by the central bank on its policy decision.

Kataoka did not make any proposal to top up stimulus, however, defying expectations he could do so after his decision last month to vote against keeping policy steady.

In a widely expected move, the BOJ maintained the 0.1 percent interest it charges on a portion of excess reserves that financial institutions park at the central bank.

At the two-day policy meeting that ended on Tuesday, it also kept its yield target for 10-year Japanese government bonds around zero percent.

The decision on maintaining interest rate targets was made by an 8-1 vote.